MLB Player News

Manager Alex Cora was impressed with Sale (elbow) during the lefty's bullpen session Friday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

The manager expressed strong optimism when talking about the southpaw's Friday bullpen, but also hinted at the fact that he still has a ways to go before he's back in the Red Sox rotation, saying, "We need to not get too excited... but it was just that good." Cora's comments indicate a July return to the Red Sox continues to be a realistic possibility for the veteran left-hander, though Boston will continue to monitor his rehab very closely.

Manager Rocco Baldelli said Friday that Maeda (arm) will be activated to start Monday's game against the Mariners, Do-Hyoung Park of MLB.com reports.

Maeda landed on the injured list May 23 with a right adductor strain and later suffered arm soreness as he resumed throwing at the end of May. The right-hander threw 54 pitches during a rehab start with Triple-A St. Paul on Wednesday, allowing one run while punching out five across four innings. His next start will come with the Twins on Monday, though he likely won't be fully stretched out in his return to the big leagues.

Dunn (shoulder) was activated from the 10-day injured list and is starting Friday's game at Cleveland.

The 25-year-old was already announced as Friday's starter, and he's now officially back on the active roster after missing almost two weeks with right shoulder inflammation. Dunn was pitching well before the injury with a 2.20 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 21:7 K:BB across his past three starts (16.1 innings), and he'll attempt to pick up where he left off.

Ober will start Friday's game against the Astros, Aaron Gleeman of The Athletic reports.

The 25-year-old allowed one run over four frames during his previous start June 6, and he'll receive another look Friday while Matt Shoemaker shifts to the bullpen. Ober figures to remain in the rotation with another solid performance, though he'll have a tough matchup versus Houston.

Luzardo allowed three earned runs on two home runs and also surrendered an additional hit over one inning in a loss to the Royals on Thursday.

The left-hander had a rough go of it during his one frame thanks to Jorge Soler and Andrew Benintendi, both of whom tagged him from homers. Luzardo has now allowed multiple earned runs in each of his last two relief appearances, yielding three round trippers overall during that three-inning stretch.

Quantrill worked out of the bullpen Wednesday in Cleveland's 8-2 loss to St. Louis, striking out two over two scoreless frames while giving up one run and one walk.

Quantrill had started in both his previous two outings, but Cleveland opted to temporarily move him out of the rotation after he was lit up for seven runs (five earned) while recording just four outs in a June 6 loss to the Orioles. The right-handed fared better while coming on in relief Wednesday after No. 3 starter Jean Carlos Mejia couldn't make it out of the first inning. Cleveland is expected to add Triston McKenzie from Triple-A Columbus this weekend to step in as the team's fourth starter, but the club will have a need for a No. 5 starter beginning next week while Zach Plesac (thumb) remains on the injured list. Quantrill and Sam Hentges -- who previously made four starts before moving to the bullpen -- could be the leading candidates to fill the opening in the rotation.

Montas (6-6) was tagged with the loss Thursday against the Royals, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits across 6.1 innings. He struck out eight.

Montas has gone 1-4 over his last five starts, but he owns a 3.54 ERA and impressive peripheral stats in that span -- 1.32 WHIP, 10.9 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 -- meaning he's pitched better than what his ERA indicates of late. He might have just two quality starts since the beginning of May, but Montas has been remarkably consistent on the mound. His next start is scheduled for next week at home against the Angels.

Ryu (5-4) was charged with the loss Thursday against the White Sox after giving up three runs on five hits and a walk while fanning three across six innings.

Ryu got off to a slow start and gave up all three runs during the first inning, and while he settled in and allowed just three baserunners before departing the contest, he was still charged with his fourth loss of the campaign. The veteran left-hander has given up three or fewer earned runs in five of his last six outings, however, and he continues to pitch well despite having an occasional down game here and there. His next start is scheduled for next week at home against the Yankees.

Greinke allowed four runs on seven hits and a walk with two strikeouts in three innings in a no-decision versus Boston on Thursday.

After a complete game in his last start, Thursday's short outing from Greinke was a significant disappointment. He needed 64 pitches (38 strikes) to get through three innings, and Houston's bullpen wasn't able to limit the damage in a back-and-forth, high-scoring game. The 37-year-old has a 3.68 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 62:17 K:BB across 85.2 innings this year. Greinke lines up for another tough matchup versus the White Sox next week if Houston goes with a six-man rotation when Lance McCullers (shoulder) returns.

Keuchel (5-1) earned the win Thursday against Toronto after giving up just two runs on six hits and two walks across six innings. He struck out eight.

Keuchel has avoided the loss in each of his last seven starts, going 4-0 with four quality starts and a 25:10 K:BB over that span. The veteran has also given up two or fewer runs in three of his last four starts, and he has improved his ERA to a respectable 4.14 as a result. Keuchel is scheduled to make his upcoming start next week against the Rays at home.